Sabalenka pauses match over cannabis smell: 10 aces and the lesson behind a US Open win

New York, August 31, 2026. When Aryna Sabalenka was leading 3-0 in the first set against Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round of the US Open, she suddenly stopped play. Not because of a hamstring injury, not because she needed to adjust her racquet. Sabalenka walked toward umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and complained that a strong smell of cannabis was making it hard for her to breathe. A few silent seconds on Louis Armstrong Stadium were enough to highlight a problem American sports have long tried to downplay: the scent of weed in New York is part of the atmosphere, and at Grand Slam level, it can become an invisible opponent for players seeking absolute focus. But the real story does not end with the smell. Sabalenka still won the first set 6-3 and closed the match 6-3 6-4. She served 10 aces and did not face a single break point in the entire match. Her opponent, Kamilla Rakhimova, could have been swept away by a vortex of deep balls produced by that right arm. However, the noise around the match—the smell of cannabis, Sabalenka’s uncomfortable glance, then the tense press conference with a reporter—created an extra layer that makes fans forget they just witnessed a near-perfect performance from a title contender. More important is the context. Aryna Sabalenka arrived in Flushing Meadows in what experts described as 'one of her most difficult spells in several years.' She had not reached a Grand Slam or WTA 1000 final since Indian Wells and Miami. Three months ago, her ability to beat rising young players was questioned. Yet after three rounds at the US Open, a different Sabalenka appeared: no sets dropped, more than three aces per set on average, and crucially, she did not allow Rakhimova a single break opportunity. This statistic is not about luck. It shows her ability to read serve directions, anticipate return positions, and attack at the first point of contact—highly effective patterns on hard courts. 'I find the gap in how we measure physical fitness and risk, not just discuss tactics. Data never lies; only our reading of it is wrong when placed next to an off-court event like a cannabis smell.' This perspective, from a long-time sports data analyst, points out that our assessment of Sabalenka in this third-round match risks leaving the benchmark. If we cling only to the image of her smelling cannabis, we will miss her best serve data of the summer. If we keep asking about pre-tournament parties—as one reporter did, sparking Sabalenka’s blunt reply, 'You guys are, like, a joke… Think before you say stuff'—we lose sight of the true core of success: the ability to separate a smelly incident from a body operating at an extremely stable rhythm. Watching the match through movement data, I noticed it was not just the number of aces but the string of games without a faced break point that stood out. In a Grand Slam match, facing zero break points means Sabalenka retained control on nearly all of her service games. Her first serve won points almost twice as often as her second serve. This created a 'scoreboard wall' that prevented Rakhimova from ever building a consistent return rhythm. That little disruption was enough to turn a mid-ranked opponent—who can usually trouble a seed—into a person simply waiting for defeat. But the contrarian angle should be stated clearly. Cannabis smoke, however unpleasant, is a measurable factor that can be prepared for. Sabalenka complained very early, when she was ahead 3-0. That fact shows the loss of concentration did not produce a collapse in the data. If she still served aces and held points easily, the smell was only an uncomfortable moment, not a physical fracture. The real fracture, if any, lies in the ranking-point pressure Sabalenka carries after every victory. As a two-time defending champion, she needs a third consecutive title to keep the world No. 1 spot, unless Elena Rybakina—the direct rival—is eliminated before the semifinal. In other words, Sabalenka is racing against her own previous seasons. Fans may see cannabis smell as a trivial issue. But at the mental level, an athlete can lose several games trying to get over the feeling of 'air being invaded.' A sports injury analyst has a saying: 'A risk model saves nobody; it only tells you where to look.' Knowing New York has legalized cannabis, Grand Slam organizers could consider creating smoke-free pockets near the VIP rows, controlling airflow around the court, and even introducing a deodorizing rule. That is a long-term story. For now, Sabalenka must solve the fourth round, where she will meet Taylor Townsend—a home favourite who performed well at the 2026 US Open and always feeds on the energy of an American crowd. This is a different challenge. Townsend not only serves well but also knows how to mix with the noise. If Sabalenka lets a past complaint override her tactical preparation, instead of treating it as a fleeting moment, she will put herself at mental risk. On the same day, Carlos Alcaraz is making his way back from injury with a convincing 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory in the fourth round to reach the round of 16. Daniil Medvedev, the men’s No. 20 seed, also advanced, showing that hard courts remain a fortress of big champions. On the other side, pressure on Sabalenka increases as she faces players with solid serve foundations. Any drop in her fourth-round performance—even just one missed break point—could trigger the 'difficult season' narrative that was temporarily buried by those impressive numbers. I keep thinking about her press-conference answer when a reporter asked about pre-tournament parties. Sabalenka did not back down. She said those criticizing her should come watch how she trains and plays. That directness may have cost her some sympathy from journalists, but it also showed a woman who controls her message. In modern tennis, especially at world No. 1, endurance lies not only in serving but also in handling off-court distractions—from cannabis smoke to provocations in questions. Anyone who saw the way Sabalenka struck her forehand in the final game against Rakhimova could see she kept her cool, like a machine not affected by static. That is the mark of a champion who has learned to play with whatever ugly thing surrounds her, as long as the scoreboard keeps tilting in her favor. The biggest question for Sabalenka’s run this year is not 'Can she beat Townsend?', because on current form she is superior. The more practical question is: 'Can she keep this level of focus through a dense schedule while the pressure of defending points tightens?' As someone who has followed many Grand Slam cycles, I notice that athletes who emerge from a strange incident like a cannabis complaint usually react in one of two ways: either they are haunted by the unpleasant memory, or they turn it into fuel for extra focus. With 10 aces and no break point faced just hours after her complaint, Sabalenka is showing she belongs to the second group. Tennis, however, is a sport that punishes overconfidence. Taylor Townsend, urged by the home crowd, will certainly test the most vulnerable spot of any leading player: patience. If Sabalenka continues to hit solidly, she will hold the edge. But if a light breeze or a loud shout from the stands breaks her rhythm, her opponent will pounce immediately. For sports analysts, the lesson from this third-round match lies in separating the moment of disruption from the long-term performance. Cannabis at the US Open is part of the backdrop, not a crack. Sabalenka mentioned it, showed her annoyance, then stepped forward and completed her task cleanly. If we allow a bit of outside smoke to obscure the 6-3 6-4 scoreline, we will make the same mistake as an athlete who waits for an injury while forgetting that the body is still working perfectly. Data never lies; only our reading of it is wrong—and in this case, the correct reading is: Aryna Sabalenka is ready for the next big match.